Department for Transport

Public Transport: Coronavirus

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to allocate additional financial support to local transport authorities as a result of lower passenger numbers during the covid-19 outbreak.

Rachel Maclean: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



On 3 April we made available to bus operators and local authorities up to £167 million of new funding over twelve weeks under the new Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant to keep key routes running. Another £30 million has also been reallocated to local authorities to safeguard bus services. This is on top of £3.2 billion of additional funding, the Government has announced to help local authorities respond to the immediate impacts of coronavirus.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the guidance is for people (a) who are elderly and (b) with relevant underlying heath conditions on how they can reduce or minimise their personal risk of contracting covid-19.

Jo Churchill: Guidance has been published on social distancing for everyone in the United Kingdom and protecting older people and vulnerable persons. This includes advice for those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to be particularly strict in following social distancing measures. This guidance is available to view at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults Guidance has also been published for people who are at particularly high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of an underlying health condition, and for their family, friends and carers. This guidance is available to view at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19 Letters will be sent out from Monday 23 March 2020 strongly advising those most at risk from COVID-19 to self-isolate for at least 12 weeks.

Coronavirus

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department was first alerted to the existence of the coronavirus pathogen.

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which office within his Department first advised Ministers on the existence of the coronavirus pathogen.

Jo Churchill: On 31 December 2019, Public Health England identified reports of an outbreak of undiagnosed viral pneumonia in Wuhan City, People's Republic of China and on 2 January 2020, the Department was alerted to these reports. On 9 January 2020, Ministers were formally notified of the outbreak of undiagnosed viral pneumonia in Wuhan and provided with an update of its progression. The World Health Organization posted a Disease Outbreak News (DON) item on 12 January which stated that a novel coronavirus was detected in 41 patients with pneumonia in Wuhan City. This DON can be found at the following link: https://www.who.int/csr/don/12-january-2020-novel-coronavirus-china/en/

Coronavirus: Prescription Drugs

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to lift the requirement for pharmacists to be present when people sign prescriptions for controlled medication to reduce pressure on pharmacists during the covid-19 outbreak..

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 19 March 2020



There is no legal requirement for a pharmacist to be present when a prescription for controlled drugs is signed. However, when a Schedule 2 controlled drug is collected from a pharmacy, the pharmacist is legally required to determine whether the person collecting is a patient, patient’s representative or healthcare professional, and maintain a record of the person supplied. These measures are important to prevent the misuse and diversion of controlled drugs.

Chickenpox

Chris Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been (a) diagnosed with and (b) hospitalised as a result of chickenpox in (i) England and (ii) the UK in each of the last five years.

Jo Churchill: Chickenpox is not a notifiable disease in England, therefore data on the exact number of people diagnosed with chickenpox are not available.A count of finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of chickenpox in England for the financial years 2014-15 to 2018-19, provided by NHS Digital, is attached.  



30160 table
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Chickenpox: Vaccination

Chris Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government's proposed vaccination strategy will include an approach to limiting the impact of chickenpox on society; and if he will make a statement.

Jo Churchill: The forthcoming vaccine strategy will consider all vaccination programmes over the life-course. The strategy does not directly consider the impact of chickenpox on society. However, it will build on efforts already under way to improve national immunisation programmes and support innovation.Our chickenpox (varicella) immunisation programme, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), is targeted at those who are in close contact with people who are at high risk from chickenpox, such as siblings of a leukaemic child, or a child whose parent is undergoing chemotherapy. The JCVI does not currently recommend universal varicella vaccine as part of the routine childhood programme.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any communal self-isolation facilities will be provided for people who need to self-isolate but live with elder or vulnerable people particularly at risk from covid-19.

Jo Churchill: The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, local authorities and providers to make sure the sector is prepared to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The current guidance states that, if possible, any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) should be moved out, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period. If that is not possible, current guidance states that contact should be reduced as far as possible.More info on this guidance can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how his Department’s advice for covid-19 and the 2009 H1N1 swine flu outbreak differs.

Jo Churchill: Initial symptoms of H1N1 swine flu and COVID-19 are very similar, so laboratory tests are required to confirm the nature of the disease.The advice to protect against H1N1 swine flu is to get vaccinated as there is a suitable vaccination available on the market. While United Kingdom scientists have started testing a new vaccine for COVID-19, to date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat it. People are advised to follow guidance set out at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Shingles: Vaccination

Chris Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the GP contract 2020-21 supporting guidance will require all practices to implement a proactive call and recall for the shingles national immunisation programme to ensure the protection of older adults.

Jo Churchill: Immunisations play a critical role in preventative healthcare and in promoting health and well-being across the life course, particularly for older adults where protection against shingles is so important. The ‘Update to the GP contract agreement 2020/21 – 2023/24’ jointly published by NHS England and the British Medical Association on the 6th February 2020 states that practices should ensure their call and recall systems are in line with national standards. These will be defined in supporting guidance for each vaccination programme and over time will be updated to reflect use of the most effective technology. Some areas already use text-based reminders, and all practices must move towards this as soon as the infrastructure is in place. Call/recall will be delivered by practices themselves as a default or may be delivered by the local Child Health Information Systems (CHIS) on their behalf.

Coronavirus: Dental Services

Sam Tarry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to issue guidance on aerosol production in dentistry and the risk of spreading covid-19 to staff and patients.

Jo Churchill: NHS England and NHS Improvement issue regular updates to general dental practices and community dental services regarding the emerging COVID-19 situation. The latest update was issued on 20 March 2020 and includes guidance on aerosol generating procedures. This can be viewed online at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/preparedness-letters-for-dental-care/

Coronavirus: Local Government

Matt Rodda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support local authorities during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Government stands ready to do whatever is necessary to support councils in their response to COVID-19.The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Rt. hon Robert Jenrick MP) addressed over 300 council leaders in England reaffirming the Government’s commitment to giving councils the support they need to contribute to the national effort. He confirmed a series of practical measures which will give councils greater flexibility to respond to COVID-19.Guidance for local councils during the COVID-19 outbreak can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-government#local-government

Ovarian Cancer: Scotland

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the shorter diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer in place in Scotland whereby women with suspected ovarian cancer are referred for a CA125 blood test and an ultrasound at the same time; and whether he plans to introduce a similar process in England.

Jo Churchill: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guideline on ovarian cancer: recognition and initial management (CG122) is incorporated into the NICE guideline on suspected cancer: recognition and referral (NG12), which was reviewed in January 2020. No new evidence was identified during the surveillance review which would warrant a change to the current recommendations. NICE is planning to undertake a surveillance review of CG122 in 2020/21 and the diagnostic pathway will be considered at that time.

Diabetes: Medical Equipment

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2020 to Question 26807 on Diabetes: Medical Equipment, what (a) national and (b) regional data NHS England and NHS Improvement hold on the prescription of flash glucose monitors by primary care providers.

Jo Churchill: The information requested is shown in the following table.Flash Glucose Monitoring Patient Numbers – Q3 2019/20Number of Identified Patients with Prescriptions  Q1 UptakeQ2 UptakeQ3 UptakeRegionEstimated # of Type 1 patients in the region#%#%#%North West30,6306,084207,836269,32530North East and Yorkshire40,49098925,672148,64021Midlands46,4556,109138,8491911,53425East29,6351,49353,127114,63316London29,5653,382114,574155,97520South West26,8754,171165,748216,92426South East39,2756,231168,5302210,75127England242,92528,4591244,3361857,78224Source: NHS Business Services AuthorityNotes:- These figures represent patient numbers in receipt of flash in primary care.- Flash Glucose Monitoring uptake has increased markedly in all regions – national uptake is now 24% of all type 1 patients.- Figures only correspond to individual identified patients with clinical commissioning group prescriptions and may therefore understate full coverage.Estimated number of type 1 patients sourced from National Diabetes Audit 2017/18

Coronavirus: Drugs

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken since 11 February 2020 to maintain the supply of over the counter non-prescription medicines during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Weaver Vale on 13 March to Question 27668:https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-10/27668/

Coronavirus: Dental Services

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions the Department has had with the General Dental Council on the provision of treatments during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: On 25 March the National Health Service released guidance on the provision of dental treatments.All routine, non-urgent dental care including orthodontics should be stopped and deferred until advised otherwise.All practices should establish (independently or by collaboration with others) a remote urgent care service, providing telephone triage for their patients with urgent needs during usual working hours, and whenever possible.If the patient’s condition cannot be managed by these means, then they will need to be referred to the appropriate part of their Local Urgent Dental Care system.Further information can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/issue-3-preparedness-letter-for-primary-dental-care-25-march-2020.pdfMinisters and senior officials hold weekly stakeholder meetings at which the British Dental Association and Chief Dental Officer are present.

Coronavirus: Visual impairment

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with the General Optical Council on the (a) attendance and (b) treatment of patients during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Department and NHS England and Improvement have had discussions with the General Optical Council (GOC) on COVID-19 issues that affect optometry. As an independent regulator, advice to its registrants on professional responsibilities, is a matter for the GOC. GOC guidance, so far, to its registrants on COVID-19 is available at the following link:https://www.optical.org/en/news_publications/Publications/joint-statement-and-guidance-on-coronavirus-covid19.cfmThe organisation and provision of National Health Service commissioned optical services during the pandemic is a matter for NHS England and NHS Improvement working with the Department. NHS England and NHS Improvement have now published guidance on the provision of out of hospital optometry services, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/04/C0127-optical-letter-1-april-2020.pdf

Intensive Care

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the availability of critical care beds in London; and what plans he has to increase the availability of critical care beds for each (a) NHS and (b) Foundation Trust in the UK.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 25 March 2020



In March 2020, the National Health Service had 3,700 critical care beds for adults and, as part of the readiness for the likely influx of more COVID-19 patients, was taking concerted action to free up to a third of the general and acute beds. This was to enable 30,000 of the 100,000 general and acute beds to be available for COVID-19 patients.The NHS is making sure that, as well as overall hospital beds, intensive care beds, operating theatres, repurposed recovery bays, mechanical ventilation and other facilities across the hospital sector are expanded to provide the greatest possible capacity.

Wales Office

Coronavirus: Wales

Mr Peter Bone: What arrangements are in place with the Welsh Government to co-ordinate the response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Simon Hart: We are working hand in hand with the Welsh Government, including through COBR Ministerial Committee and its sub-committees, to ensure Wales’s voice is heard loud and clear as part of the UK-wide response to the covid-19 outbreak. I also have regular discussions with the First Minister and his Ministerial team to ensure our response is well co-ordinated.

Coronavirus: Wales

Aaron Bell: What financial support the Government has allocated to the Welsh Government in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

David T C Davies: The Government has provided over £2.1 billion in financial support to the Welsh Government to respond to the covid-19 outbreak. This is made up of Barnett consequential funding to the allocations in England for public services, business support and support to individuals.

Coronavirus: Wales

Tonia Antoniazzi: What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister of Wales on the covid-19 outbreak.

Margaret Greenwood: What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister of Wales on the covid-19 outbreak.

Simon Hart: The First Minister, his ministerial team, and I regularly discuss our governments’ response to the covid-19 outbreak. Last week we both attended meetings between all four administrations, including COBR(M) and a meeting chaired by my Rt. hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to discuss the UK-wide approach to social distancing.

Coronavirus: Wales

Craig Williams: What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the deployment of military personnel to Wales in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

David T C Davies: We have worked closely with the Welsh Government to enable the UK’s armed forces to play a vital role. Our servicemen and women have worked tirelessly to help build hospitals, drive ambulances and get PPE where it is needed most. This is testament to how strong we are as a United Kingdom.

Economic Growth: North West and Wales

Scott Benton: What steps his Department is taking to strengthen economic links between Wales and the North West of England.

David T C Davies: I met with the leaders of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, Programme Director Alwen Williams and the Business Advisory Board on 12 March, before the covid-19 crisis, where I discussed the opportunities that will be created by the North Wales Growth Deal to build on the already significant cross-border economic activity that exists between Northeast Wales and the Northwest of England.

Economic Situation: Wales

Geraint Davies: What assessment he has made of the potential effect on the Welsh economy of maintaining the existing transition period deadline.

Simon Hart: The Government’s position remains unaltered; extending the transition period will cause further uncertainty to businesses in Wales and will hamper our post-covid recovery.

*No heading*

Carolyn Harris: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on support for people in Wales whose employment has been adversely affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Jeff Smith: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on support for people in Wales whose employment has been adversely affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

David T C Davies: I have regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues on a range of topics, including employment support for people in Wales. The Government has announced unprecedented measures to support people in Wales and right across the UK through these difficult times.

*No heading*

Suzanne Webb: What stakeholder engagement he has undertaken in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

David T C Davies: We are engaging with Welsh businesses and other sectors on a daily basis to learn more about the impact of the crisis on the ground and feed stakeholders’ views back into government policy making. This includes, remotely, one-to-one discussions and group webinars enabling the Secretary of State and I to explain the government’s support schemes.This week I have been pleased to join meetings hosted by the Welsh Local Government Association and CBI Wales. Tomorrow, the Secretary of State will join the Business Secretary and Welsh Ministers in hosting a joint web-based business question and answer session.

*No heading*

Virginia Crosbie: What steps the Government has taken to repatriate Welsh citizens stranded abroad as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

David T C Davies: The Government is fully committed to helping stranded British nationals return home. Through our work with airlines and with foreign governments, we estimate over 1.3 million British nationals have returned to the UK via commercial routes and we have brought back more than 13,000 people on 63 chartered flights. I am in regular contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Welsh Government on this vital work.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Community Development: Ministerial Duties

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when there will be a minister in place responsible for the communities portfolio.

Luke Hall: My noble Friend Lord Greenhalgh is the minister responsible for the communities portfolio.

Homelessness: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has ensure that (a) support and (b) accommodation is made available for people experiencing homelessness with no recourse to public funds during the covid-19 outbreak.

Luke Hall: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



The Government is aware of concerns about those with no recourse to public funds experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis.We are ensuring local authorities are supported, with £3.2 million in targeted funding to help support individuals who are sleeping rough off the streets, and an additional £3.2 billion provided to local authorities as part of the wider government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.This funding has been provided to help local authorities to reduce risks to public health and to support individuals on the basis of need.The legal position on those with no recourse to public funds has not been amended.The Government recognises that these are unprecedented times, and expects local authorities to support people who are sleeping rough, and also to minimise unnecessary risks to public health, acting within the law.

Homelessness: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to provide people experiencing homelessness with accommodation where they can self-isolate if they are displaying covid-19 symptoms.

Luke Hall: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



Since the beginning of the crisis, the vast majority of those known to be living on the streets have been offered safe accommodation - ensuring some of the most vulnerable people can stay safe during the pandemic.This includes those rough sleeping or who have been living in accommodation with communal sleeping spaces such as night shelters.This response is backed by £3.2 billion of additional funding for local authorities to enable them to respond to COVID-19 pressures This is in addition to £3.2 million in targeted funding to ensure that we minimise the risk to those currently unable to self-isolate.This funding will assist local authorities to provide accommodation and support to vulnerable people who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with, COVID-19.

Homelessness

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to provide support and accommodation to people experiencing homelessness who also have no recourse to public funds.

Luke Hall: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



The Government is aware of concerns about those with no recourse to public funds experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis.We are ensuring local authorities are supported, with £3.2 million in targeted funding to help support individuals who are sleeping rough off the streets, and an additional £3.2 billion provided to local authorities as part of the wider government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.This funding has been provided to help local authorities to reduce risks to public health and to support individuals on the basis of need.The legal position on those with no recourse to public funds has not been amended.The Government recognises that these are unprecedented times, and expects local authorities to support people who are sleeping rough, and also to minimise unnecessary risks to public health, acting within the law.

Charities: Coronavirus

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to support charities and faith organisations who rely on donations from the public to pay for (a) charity work and (b) overheads of religious buildings, during the covid-19 outbreak.

Luke Hall: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



Faith communities have a long history of service supporting many of the most vulnerable members of our society. The rapid response during the current pandemic has been no different. We value the work being done to support those in need.We recognise that, like those in the private sector, charities and faith organisations are under significant strain as a result of COVID-19. Charities can access many of the support measures the Chancellor has announced for businesses, including deferring their VAT bills, paying no business rates on charity shops next year, and furloughing staff where possible with the Government paying 80 per cent of their wages. Further details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19On 8 April the Chancellor outlined a £750 million package of support for frontline charities across the UK responding to the Covid-19 crisis. We are continuing to engage with cross government colleagues on the details of this funding package and more details will be released in the coming days.We will continue to engage with the sector to maintain a complete picture of the impact of coronavirus to better understand how we can support them to respond to the pressures they may be facing.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what plans her Department has to change the process of applying for universal credit for people who cannot apply online so that claimants do not have to take proof of identity into their local JobCentre.

Will Quince: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



The Department takes seriously the need to support claimants during the COVID-19 outbreak, and wants Universal Credit to be easy to access. It is designed to be a ‘digital-first’ service, ensuring we make best use of technology to deliver a modern and effective working-age welfare system. This allows our staff to concentrate on those people who require additional support through different channels. Although the Department offers comprehensive support for claimants to use our digital service, there will be occasions when people are unable to make their claim online, so telephone applications can be accepted through the Freephone Universal Credit Helpline. Jobcentres are currently closed to claimants, except for the most complex cases where help can only be delivered face-to-face. As a consequence, new Universal Credit claimants will have their identity verified by telephone through the use of biographical questions generated by information already held by the Department.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support the Government is providing to self-employed people who have to self-isolate as a result of covid-19 symptoms.

Mims Davies: The Chancellor has announced a Self-Employed Income Support Scheme that will help millions of people across the UK, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment. The government has also announced a package of temporary welfare measures to support those on low incomes through the outbreak, including relaxing the Minimum Income Floor for all self-employed claimants affected by the economic impact of COVID-19. Taken together, these measures provide over £6.5bn of additional support through the welfare system.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on protecting self-employed workers from financial hardship during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mims Davies: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



The Chancellor has announced a Self-Employed Income Support Scheme that will help millions of people across the UK, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment. The government has also announced a package of temporary welfare measures to support those on low incomes through the outbreak, including relaxing the Minimum Income Floor for all self-employed claimants affected by the economic impact of COVID-19. Taken together, these measures provide over £6.5bn of additional support through the welfare system.

Offshore Industry: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure that (a) social distancing and (b) other measures to help prevent increasing covid-19 infection rates are enforced among offshore oil and gas workers.

Mims Davies: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a contributing member of the Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Pandemic Steering Group, which also contains members from OGUK, helicopter operators, oil and gas companies, Step Change in Safety and Health Protection Scotland. The Pandemic Steering Group has developed a protocol and range of measures to give guidance to offshore oil and gas companies on social distancing and other measures to prevent the COVID-19 infection of offshore workers. This has been disseminated to the industry via the OGUK working groups and online communication channels where appropriate and will be supported by the published full guidance document on OGUK’s website early next week.

Universal Credit: Coronavirus

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to suspend repayment of all universal credit advances during the covid-19 outbreak.

Will Quince: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



As part of the Government’s strategy to support people affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency, DWP is making a number of changes to its benefit processes to ensure people who need financial help have access to the benefit system. Universal Credit New Claims Advances are available to support those in immediate financial need until their first Universal Credit payment is made and the Department is committed to delivering advances as soon as possible to claimants who have requested them. Face-to-face checks for Universal Credit advances have been suspended and claimants can apply for an advance by phone or online without attending their Jobcentre. Universal Credit is already much more generous than the legacy benefit system it replaces. From 6th April 2020, we have increased the standard allowance for everyone by over £80 a month for one year. This is on top of the existing 1.7% increase already announced. The increase in the Universal Credit standard allowance provides additional support to claimants in order to help them manage the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, including the repayment of new claim advances. The Government has reduced the maximum deduction from 40% to 30% of a claimant’s standard allowance from October 2019 and this will be further reduced to 25% from October 2021. The repayment time for advances has already been extended from 6 months to 12 months, and will be further extended to 24 months from October 2021. If a claimant is in financial difficulty as a result of the level of deductions being made they can contact the Department to request that a reduction in deductions be considered. Any adjustment to repayments will be based on the individual circumstances of the claimant.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food Supply: Coronavirus

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the national plan for delivering food assistance is.

Victoria Prentis: The Government is working to ensure that up to 1.5 million people in England identified by the NHS as being at higher risk of severe illness if they contract Coronavirus have access to the food they need. The Government continues to contact this cohort of shielded individuals and ask them to register via the online NHS webportal or via the phone if they need help accessing food. In partnership with industry, the Government started to deliver Shielding Packages in late March, to those that are clinically extremely vulnerable and have requested this support These packages consist of essential supplies and food. Supermarkets are also prioritising online delivery slots for those that are most in need and have expanded their capacity for home deliveries. We are also working quickly to support people who do not fall into the category of being clinically extremely vulnerable, but still need help getting essential food supplies. This includes those who are elderly, disabled or have health conditions that make it difficult for them to get the food they need. We are speaking to food retailers, delivery organisations and volunteer groups to help prioritise those individuals to access essential food. Wherever possible, people should continue to rely on friends, family and wider community support. Over 750,000 people across England signed up as NHS Volunteer Responders via the mobile app GoodSam. Over 600,000 volunteers have been verified as NHS Volunteer Responders via the Good Sam platform, and can now receive tasks to help those in their communities, including through shopping for vulnerable people for food and essential supplies.

Supermarkets: Coronavirus

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with supermarket leaders on social-distancing measures during queues.

Victoria Prentis: We are in regular contact with the food industry to support them as they respond to COVID-19. This includes providing them with the guidance they need to keep their staff and customers safe, and Public Health England have recently published advice for retailers on social distancing measures in stores. Representatives of our leading supermarkets have asked customers to shop considerately and we echo their call. We are grateful for the extensive support and positive collaboration that supermarkets have shown. We should be proud of all those across the country who are working round the clock to make sure people have the food they need.

FareShare: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has has to support the expansion of the FareShare network during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Prentis: We are working closely with FareShare and other food aid organisations to identify the impacts COVID-19 is having on front-line charities that provide food, and to ensure that those who are financially vulnerable have access to food and essential supplies. We have worked with FareShare to quantify the current and forecast supply and demand of food to food aid charities, including the hundreds of charities who have asked for FareShare’s support since COVID-19. We welcome the efforts of the food industry to support food aid organisations, including the FareShare network, through pledges of donations of food and funds. We are working through the Food and Essential Supplies to the Vulnerable Ministerial Task Force to identify where Government can best support front-line food charities, in the context of the gap between supply and demand, and the support already shown by the food industry.

Take-away Food: Coronavirus

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with representatives of the mobile catering industry on the support this industry may be able to provide to society during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Prentis: The Government has well-established ways of working with the food industry during disruption to supply situations. The Government has regular engagement across the industry including the delivery to home sector and the industry continues to monitor the situation closely, taking the necessary steps to address issues where they arise. Following a significant spike in consumer demand, we have now seen stock levels in supermarkets improve. To support the food sector, the government temporarily relaxed competition law and regulations relating to driver hours and delivery times so that the sector could work together to keep putting food on the shelves. We are working quickly to support those who need help getting essential food supplies, and we are working with retailers and the voluntary sector to ensure that people are supported to shop for others safely. We welcome the actions that industry is taking, including hiring more staff, and prioritising delivery slots and shopping times for those that need them most. We are grateful for the extensive support and positive collaboration that the industry has shown.